Song Ci soon met Cui Shiniang, a woman like a cold plum blossom: proud, brave, and tenacious in her solitude.
"Should this old body call you Madam Cui or…?"
Cui Shiniang gracefully offered Song Ci a formal bow and smiled lightly. "My given name is Cui Xuemei. I am tenth in the family order, so the elders and my brothers and sisters all call me Shiniang, and so do people outside. If Grand Madam does not find it displeasing, just call me Shiniang."
"Xuemei." Song Ci softly repeated the name, then asked with a smile, "Your name carries 'mei'—does that mean you're very fond of plum blossoms? I seem to catch a chill fragrance of wintersweet from you; could it be that you have dabbed on its flower dew?"
Cui Shiniang was slightly surprised and nodded. "Grand Madam's nose is very keen."
